You: You then quote Mat 11: 11:15 and Matt 17:9-13 (both of which speak of Elijah). As you know, Elijah never died, so incarnation is not an issue, but I am talking about the disciples saying Christ was John the Baptist and Jeremiah (both of whom were dead).
We have discussed re-incarnation previously. The resurrection body we shall receive is a re-incarnation, we retain our identity. The two witnesses in Revelation are re-incarnated (then die and are re-animated) and retain their identity. I have no further leaning in the spirit concerning re-incarnation nor am I suggesting that all of us are merely re-incarnations of previously existing identities.
But Christ made it very clear that John the Baptist is the prophesied Elijah who would appear before He comes, and did. This requires spiritual discernment like the body and the blood of Christ we are to eat in John 6 and being born again in John 3.
John the Baptist was not the same, whole identity as Elijah, re-incarnated (John 1:21) as we shall be in our resurrection bodies. He was John the Baptist. Nevertheless, he was also Elijah.
Elijah again appears with Moses on the mount (Matthew 17) in his own, whole identity. Notably, Moses died (Jude) but Elijah did not and neither did Enoch. Some believe the two witnesses in Revelation will be (or were) Moses and Elijah others say Enoch and Elijah because neither died. I have no leaning in the Spirit, but my musing is Enoch and Elijah.
At any rate, the apostles were not expressing a Judaic pagan-influenced belief by answering Jesus question. Nor is Christ's response or lack thereof - nor is His declaration that John the Baptist is Elijah - a Judiac pagan-influenced belief. It is Truth.
Interesting concept eh!.. John the baptist being Elijah..
Would be an easy task IF "the body" was just transportation for the spirit..
i.e. Elijahs spirit was John the Baptists spirit.. different bodies..
Would also explain much of what Jesus was TALKING ABOUT most of time..
Sorry, AG. If they believed Christ was Jeremiah, they believed in reincarnation. Christianity doesn't believe in reincaration. Resurrection is not reincarnation, contrary to what you say.
My point was, and is, that it doesn't matter what the Jews believe. We are not Jews, but Christians. I have no business seeking kabbalistic or buddhist wisdom or mysticism in hopes of finding greater thruth than what is contained in Christianity.
From the perspective of timelessness, Adam, Alamo-Girl, kosta50, hosepipe, I, et al. are all eternally known by God, from beginning to end. If this suggests pre-existence (i.e., some kind of existence prior to physical incarnation), then maybe that's just what it "looks like" to observers who are captured in "the net of space and time."
The point is, we do not see as God sees.
Thank you so much, dearest sister in Christ, for your beautiful and graceful essay/posts!